Billings MT vs Springfield MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Billings, MT
Montana · Population: 118,321
- Median HH Income$71,855
- Median Home Price$398,212
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+37.0%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 86.3% | 40.8% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 2.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $51,339 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $27,054 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 8.2% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 25.3% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 19.7% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 49.5% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Billings +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 39.6% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.8% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 21.1% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.7% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.5% | Billings + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Springfield
22.6 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 22.6 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Billings scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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